The NYC’s Women on the Water (WOW)  group was established in 2016 to bring together women with an interest in sailing for fun and competitively, to improve their sailing skills.  Since then the programme has evolved and a Women on the Water Pathway has been developed to mentor and guide women sailors with many eventually becoming regular crews or helms on competitive racing, while others have bought their own boat.

The objectives of WOW are to:

–  Develop and maintain participation by women in sailing;

–  Improve the Club’s offering to women sailors;

–  Aim to address the gender imbalance in our sport;

–  Increase the confidence and competence levels of novice and returning sailors;

–  Identify coaching & training specific to women sailors and deliver appropriate supports;

–  Encourage women to embrace more challenging roles and give them confidence to do so;

–  Provide coaching & mentoring to facilitate women’s progress along the WOW Pathway;

–  Create greater awareness of the opportunities and roles for women in sailing;

Members are involved in a range of activities both on and off the water – solo sailing on ILCA 6 and topper dinghies, sailing double-handed and as skippers and crews on both club boats and their own craft, and crewing on larger boats, enjoying sailing for fun and racing in DBSC summer and winter series on Dublin Bay.

On the water coaching in boat handling, sail trim, and racing rules and tactics is provided, along with shore-based activities which include talks and courses to improve seamanship and racing skills, physical training with Pilates, and regular social gatherings which are a great way to catch up with fellow sailors.

The NYC’s Women on the Water group is active and vibrant with over 100 members who enjoy many social and sailing-based activities on a year-round basis.

A highlight of the WoW calendar is the biennial 2-day Women at the Helm Regatta (WATH),  the biggest women’s regatta in the country. Hosted by the NYC, it attracted over 60 women helms in WATH 2024, and nearly 70 women helms in WATH 2026, with over 300 women sailing in the event as helms, crews, race officers, safety officers, mark-layers, and race management personnel.

New members are always welcome and anyone interested in joining can contact us via the Club’s office at admin@nyc.ie

Women on the Water is supported by DLR Sports Partnership, Sport Ireland, and Irish Sailing